The Creative Design Blog

Tag: revenue

Attract Readers To A Blog Using Four Simple Rules

by Matthew Stone on Apr.30, 2010, under web design

One of the most useful elements in a Low Cost SEO plan is use of the business blog to attract readers and generate sales. But, as internet readers are quick to ‘cut to the chase’ it is very important to quickly share the main point of each blog post. Blog authors risk losing readers if this criterion is not met. By using some simple blog composition rules – similar to the business “30 second pitch” – a business blog can compete for new customers and build a positive brand image.

Like most, internet readers have a very short attention span. The internet is loaded with other sites competing for attention, so retaining readers is hugely important. Delivering a clear message about the value of each article or post can help the reader understand in advance what he/she can expect by reading the piece and what points of value can be expected.

Business sales teams often refer to composition of a quick statement of value as a “30 second pitch.” As this term implies, the messenger has a maximum of 30 seconds to grab attention and give the reader or listener a reason to continue paying attention. Blog writers frequently spend a great deal of time composing their version of a 30 second pitch for each article.

Developing an effective ‘pitch’ can take time, so here are a few rules for structuring a blog article. These are used effectively by Denver SEO Consultants to help blog owners develop unique but meaningful posts that will attract readers and generate new business.

Organization: Consider use of a “bold” statement of value” to hook the reader’s attention. Then deliver supporting points in outline form if possible. Use of ‘bullet points’ are useful especially when presented near the top of the article. The reader then gets the main value statement along with a couple bullet points that show why this value is real. All of this should be included in the opening paragraph.

Content and Tagging: Ideally, the blog title should contain site keywords and also address the value statement. Statements including phrases similar to “increase your sales by 30% by” are useful when included in the title as well as in the value statement. This helps search engines understand what the article is about as well as sets an expectation for the value a reader could expect to receive.

Value: Posts containing quick supporting points are useful in delivering value. A statement similar to “increase sales by 30% by” is a good value statement but must be believably supported. Each post should not run too much beyond 700 words, so efficiency is a must. Additional points might be better delivered in subsequent articles. Stating what value the reader will receive if she/he follows the advice given is a ‘must.’

Wit: Without being silly, a good way to help a reader respond positively to the content is with some degree of wit and humor. From the prospect’s point of view, reaching out to a prospective provider can be difficult. Humor makes the page owner seem more human and more approachable. Wit and humor can also effectively disarm a reader from his concerns about value and trust in the organization enough to explore initiating a business relationship. Still, be careful using this tactic. Too much humor – particularly about difficult subjects can cause the reader to take the piece less seriously.

Using these suggestions when composing a blog article can attract more internet traffic, increase the number of repeat readers and ultimately to drive new business traffic to the organization’s website.

Matthew Stone of Denver SEO Consultants helps organizations increase revenue and increase sales. With the skill to push a company site to the top of the Google search results, Denver SEO Consultants specialize in on-page SEO, link building and blog outreach.

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Small Enterprise Internet and Web Marketing

by Matthew Stone on Mar.09, 2010, under Uncategorized

Getting a new business organization started is a daunting task. Starting a business requires delivering valuable goods and services, but for many, the main challenge is generating sales. Using the internet, there are tools available to help make the entrepreneur’s dreams become reality.

Individuals and businesses are always looking for products and services that can add value to their enterprise by either helping them improve internal efficiencies (save money) or earn more income. An entrepreneur offering a new service or product that provides either of these benefits stands a reasonable chance for success.

Investment capital for new enterprises is difficult to secure. How would a potential entrepreneur get his business off the ground when working on a shoe string budget? The easiest method would be to develop the product or service and sell it to a pre-existing network of potential customers that the proprietor has established over years in the business. Most new start ups though, have no pre-existing network of contacts and must start with little or nothing. This is where the internet can really help.

Internet Sales and Marketing – Access to information has dramatically increased with the advent of free Wi-Fi and mobile internet access. Customers can now access the internet from anywhere to research purchase of any goods or services. A web page that provides quick information to customers making these purchases is a terrific tool for connecting with new and potential customers.

The internet is highly utilized for pre-purchase research for large ticket items. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the purchase price, the more research a prospect engages in prior to buying. An internet web page is perfect for this purpose as it can offer answers to customer FAQs, reinforce the enterprise value proposition and serve as an on-line sales force without the cost of a sales staff. For these reasons, a small business web page is essential to the success of any new enterprise.

Establishing a web page is essential then to any new enterprise. But what are the considerations that go into constructing a business website? The top two elements are: Page Design Internet Search Engine Optimization or SEO

Design – Company image is on display any time a viewer opens a company web page. Customers use a web page to evaluate whether an organization is trustworthy, can deliver value and is capable of meeting their needs. These are three fairly ‘high’ bars to get over, but there are some methods that can help an enterprise get started without draining what cash is on hand.

A new enterprise can hire a web page designed for them – which shouldn’t be terribly expensive. Or for those on a very tight budget, templates can be found for free that can simply be downloaded and installed at no charge. The main challenge to downloading a free template though, is that one should consider how things like business cards and brochures will work with the website.

Most start ups can make use of these free web templates. Budget considerations may require this anyway. However, the business will need to remember that as it grows, there will come a time where the website, brochures and business cards etc, will need to be coordinated and produced using the same corporate image and brand ID.

Search Engine Optimization – SEO – Google and other search engines can be huge allies in attracting new business provided the company web page can be caused to appear when a user searches for information about the product or service. When the small business website appears as a result on the search engines, the business is presented with an opportunity to establish a relationship with a potential customer. And of course creating positive relationships with prospects is a key element to making new sales.

Search Engine Optimization and web page development then need to be combined in a new business website. Researching Search Engine Optimization can be time well-spent. Optimizing the business web page or blog is not necessarily complicated and can drive a great deal of business to your company. The process of optimizing the web environment can certainly be accomplished by hiring a consultant, but that again involves expenditure of real dollars.

Most organizations understand the value of their internet and website marketing programs and invest time and money to compete for new business. A start up or small business entrepreneur that investigates website design and SEO has already started on the path towards increasing sales.

SEO Consultants in Denver provide internet marketing help to businesses of all sizes by improving local market share and increasing sales. SEO Consultants Denver helps Low Cost SEO Services to generate consumer web traffic to business internetsites and to convert readers into customers.

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